Short Summary

INTRODUCTION: Ken Dickson, rated as Britain's best all-round skier, has added the 1977 National Freestyle Championships to his list of honours.

Description

INTRODUCTION: Ken Dickson, rated as Britain's best all-round skier, has added the 1977 National Freestyle Championships to his list of honours. Dickson, a past member of the British Alpine Racing Squad and the 1975 Freestyle Championship, took this year's title against stiff competition at Aviemore in Scotland.

SYNOPSIS: Freestyle skiing, more popularly known as `hot-dogging' among its fans, involves mid-air acrobatics and ballet in a complete break from traditional skiing styles. It's that much more difficult -- and has that many spills.

Patsy Field in a misjudged forward somersault in the ballet section.

David Short was equally unsuccessful.

Eric Davies, eventual third tried it backwards, in the aerial event.

Peter Hankey, who took second, fared no better with his backward somersault.

Hotdogging, a term shunned by today's professionals, grew up in the United States in the 1960's. The sport was shunned by conventional skiers to begin with, but it's attracted a growing following on two continents -- and now it's big business with international competitions, major financial sponsorships, and an international band of full-time professional performers.

Local Aviemore girl Sue Baxter took the ladies title with a sparkling performance -- after being pipped into second place by her sister Patsy for the past three years.

And finally, Ken Dickson, getting it right with a twist-jump and a front somersault to secure the men's title.